Friday, May 10, 2013

Chautauqua County has confirmed its first case of rabies this year, County Public Health Director Christine Schuyler announced Thursday. Schuyler said that a rabid bat was captured by a Town of Ellington resident who awoke to the animal flying around the room. Tests at the State Rabies Lab confirmed that the bat was rabid, and rabies prevention shots were ordered.

“Human contact with bats should be avoided,” Schuyler said, “and because pets are more at risk from rabid bats, all dogs, cats and ferrets more than 3 months old need to be vaccinated, as required by law, against rabies.”